Guernsey in October then say ‘Cheese’!

Or perhaps, Fromage?

The Guernsey Grande Fromage Tour is a month long chance to enjoy cheeses and a drink around St Peter Port, the capital of the island.

Fromage Tour on Guernsey.

‘Big Eat’ is where Guernsey gastro-naughts can indulge in the finest of foods with fromage leading the way.

Many restaurants bars and a leading hotel are all part of this scheme and the foodie fromage fun tour.

Feasting as you visit the many and different eateries of the capital.

Starting the tour with first stamp!

Sampling as you go not only the cheeses of the Island. But also at each stop it was paired with a drink.

Great Fromage Cheese Tour 

Often wine, but beer and cider too.

18 premises took park in this self guided ‘cheese crawl’.

By visiting 6 establishments and then having your passport stamped there was a chance to win £250 alas we only got to 4.

Passport in hand onto the next!

Never the less, it was a great experience and if it was not for having to visit both of the charming nearby islands of Sark and Herm we would have got the 6 we needed. So hard cheese for us?

Our tour started at the Ship and Crown with colourful plate to start the whole thing off.

Close up of stamp.

The choice there was between a toffee popcorn crunch cheesecake or Bleu Fromage au Saumur with quince jelly, candied walnuts and crackers. We opted for the latter, and a medium glass of wine.

At each place your passport was then stamped!

Guernsey’s Big Eat Event

Just along the harbourside from our first call we tried Balthazar. Which is a Guernsey steak and seafood restaurant, located at The Quay, St Peter Port. As with many of quayside located premises they all have lovely year round view of the colourful visiting boats and yachts.

Balthazar cheese choice.

With the chance to taste local cider, paired with a selection of cheeses. We opted to exchanged for a 175ml glass of house wine. But you could also try a beer or a mock-tail too.

Next came the Crown Bar at the Old Government House. Certainly the islands leading hotel and part of the Red Carnation Group.

The food offering was an elegant toasted brioche of mature cheese and local cider rarebit with caramelised onion and spiced apple chutney.

Known as The OGH their delightful and elegant rarebit and drink.

Their drinks offering was an alcohol-free Ktea Ginger Hops Kombucha. Although they did have an alternative Guernsey Orchard Fizz with local brandy and ginger wine topped with foam.

Which I had to turn down owing to my need to drive shortly after!

With 18 Places To Choose From Too

The following day Dix Neuf or 19 was our choice. This busy and popular restaurant in an arcade setting. With a traditional cuisine and of modern fusion dishes, whilst still offering those French classics that is their inspiration.

Choices here were from one of three small plates served with a medium glass of wine or a pint of draught beer. But it was the wine, can you see a trend here?

Camemburger and fries at Dix Neuf.

I opted for the Camemburger. A roll with breaded Camembert, streaky bacon, fries and red onion chutney. Accompanied with Dijon mayo and pickles. We also had a tasty mini Croque Monsieur too.

The cheese tour is all part of the ‘Big Eat’ Guernsey Food festival on for the whole of October.

A little extra a mini Croque Monsieur.

With so many options to allow you the chance to taste some of best the foods and drinks of the island and the at the all in price of £12.

For instance the food month has wine tastings, cocktail mixing master classes where residents and visitors like ourselves could meet the local food community such as chefs and producers.

A few more days and we would have had 6!

‘Big East Stays’ tells you where where there are accommodation deals available and tied into the food festival.

Get To Know St Peter Port

Overall the Grande Fromage Tour is great way to get to know not only the food of the island. But also an enjoyable way sampling the diverse local food and drink outlets that are around the island’s capital.

Sampling in little bites St Peter Port at a time of year when many of the island outlets are less busy so it made for a relaxing tour.

Chance to meet the locals at the local.

Certainly there was time to absorb and explore the surroundings of St Peter Port.

Saying ‘cheese’ and sending a phone pic to friends and relations back in UK so that they too can see what a great idea it was to visit Guernsey in October.

PS: Big Eat and Big Smile… The weather was sunny on all of our 5 days there too!